Saturday, February 2, 2008

The opposition Liberal and NPD parties in Canada's parliament have both come out criticizing Liberal MP Keith Martin's motion to repeal section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act, which is related to speech.

In a story that focuses more on Stormfront's support of Martin's motion than the Mark Steyn and Ezra Levant cases (putting the cause in the worst possible light), the Canadian Press reports the following.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion's office disavowed the motion and suggested Martin will be asked to withdraw it. "This is not the position of the Liberal Party of Canada or the Liberal caucus or Mr. Dion," said spokeswoman Leslie Swartman.

"We support the Canadian Human Rights Act and will not entertain changes to it such as this."

. . .

NDP MP Wayne Marston said he was "deeply troubled that any Liberal" would try to weaken human rights legislation. While some complainants may try to abuse the act, Marston said his party has "great confidence" that human rights tribunals can weed out the frivolous complaints from the genuine ones.

"That's the role of the human rights commission to make that determination."

With the exception of one cabinet minister, the minority Conservative government, has been silent on this issue since it started becoming a big issue in the blogosphere late last year. Even if the Conservatives, who do not have a majority of the seats in the House of Commons, did support Martin's motion another opposition party (the leftist and separatist Bloc Quebecois) or a large segment of Martin's Liberal colleagues will have to break ranks with party leader Dion.

All in all, not looking good.

Ezra Levant is a little more optimistic about Dion caving and the Conservatives coming aboard.